Upcycling with stencils...

Supplies list

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite
Nicolette Tabram Cadiz stencil
Nicolette Tabram Whitstable stencil paint
Stencil brush
Polyvine Dead Flat varnish

Yay, stencilling is back, and I can totally recommend these contemporary stencils by Nicolette Tabram, check out her website  HERE for stencils, paint, workshops and plenty of inspiration.

First I painted my 'cheap as chips' wood effect table with 2 coats of Annie Sloan chalk paint in graphite.  Then used the stencil and stencil paint to completely cover the top of the table with pattern.  I practiced first on paper to get the correct placement of the design.

To protect from water splashes and scuffs, I finished with 2 thin coats of dead flat varnish.

Easy peasy, my table has taken pride of place in the bathroom and I'm looking around the house for my next upcycling project!

Reduce ♥ Reeuse ♥ Recycle

T Shirt Yarn Necklace...

Your favourite T-shirt snagged, stained or worn out?  Don't throw it away, recycle it and make a trendy necklace.

I've used a quick and easy crochet pattern from issue 44 of Reloved magazine to make mine. It takes you through the process of making the yarn and goes on to show you how to make this necklace.  The project is taken from the book Supersize Ccrochet by Sarah Shrimpton.

If you haven't a T-shirt to recycle you can buy ready made fabric yarn online from the T-Shirt Yarn Shop.
There's plenty of free patterns on Pinterest too like this one

Reduce ♥ Reeuse ♥ Recycle

How to make a paper pinwheel card...

Featured in Issue 83 of  PaperCrafer Magazine

A quick and easy card design, ideal for Weddings, Engagements or Anniversaries.

Supplies

White 300gsm card
Patterned paper 
Sizzix 'on the edge' scallops. 
Small white buttons

1. Make a 12 cm square card blank from white card and stamp a greeting at the top edge.
2. Cut a panel of paper to fit the card front and cut/punch a scalloped border along the top and bottom edge and stick to the card front.
3. To make the pinwheels cut two 3.5cm squares of paper.  With scissors cut from each corner half way into the centre of the square, fold 4 alternate points into the centre, secure with glue.
4. Finish each pinwheel with a button in the centre and narrow strips of kraft/buff card as shown.